The Supreme Court considered a petition challenging the 35th Judge Advocate General (JAG) recruitment cycle. The petitioner, who had joined the training course under an interim order, sought appointment based on the directions issued in Arshnoor Kaur & Anr. vs. Union of India & Ors., which mandates that the Union of India conduct recruitment in a manner ensuring a common merit list for all male and female candidates and make marks public. The Court clarified that these directions are prospective and will not apply retrospectively to ongoing recruitment processes, including the 35th cycle.
Senior Counsel Gopal Sankaranarayanan appeared for the petitioner, while Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati represented the Union of India and Ms. Deeplaxmi Matwankar appeared for the other respondent. The petitioner contended that she should be considered for appointment in the ongoing cycle, whereas the Union argued that the recruitment process already underway could not be altered retrospectively.
The Court observed, “We see no reason to hold that the directions contained in such judgment will apply retrospectively so as to affect any process of recruitment…including the 35th recruitment cycle which is under consideration.”
Acknowledging the petitioner’s position, the Court allowed her to complete the eleven-month training course she had joined as an exceptional case. However, it made clear that this does not guarantee appointment. Should any of the eight selected candidates withdraw, be disqualified, or if any vacancy arises, the petitioner may then be considered upon successful completion of training. The Court emphasized that this direction is unique and shall not set a precedent for future cases.
The writ petition was dismissed. The petitioner may continue her training under a one-time allowance, and all pending interlocutory applications were disposed of.
Case Title: Seerat Kaur vs. Union of India & Anr.
Case No.: Writ Petition (Civil) No. 928/2025
Coram: Justice Dipankar Datta, Justice Augustine George Masih
Advocate for Petitioner: Adv. Gopal Sankaranarayanan (Sr. Adv.), Mandeep Kalra (AOR), Radhika Narula, Anushna Satapathy, Chitrangada Singh, Radhika Jalan, Widaphi Lyngdoh, Gauri Rajput, Vaibhav Yadav, Paras Mohan Sharma, Shefali Tripathi
Advocate for Respondent: Advs. Aishwarya Bhati (A.S.G.), Mukesh Kumar Maroria (AOR), Chitrangda Rashtravara, Shivika Mehra, Nithin Pavuluri, Priyanka Tyagi, Shagun Thakur, Ritika Singhal, Deeplaxmi Subhash Matwankar (AOR), Deeplaxmi Matwankar, Manreet Kaur, Ghanashyam Sharma, Himanshu Aulluck, Samta Pushkarna Mishra
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